Sports Beat: Trip home not the same as the journey

By Pat McCann

Published: Thursday, July 5, 2012 at 07:51 PM.

In Chapman’s professional sense, it concerns deviating from his game plan from time to time. The hitters in Triple-A have enough talent and experience to take advantage when pitchers become predictable.

“You have to learn to throw different pitches you would not normally throw in different counts,” Chapman said. “Last night I got strikeouts on two fastballs looking. They were both sitting on the change-up.”

Chapman at times emulated the rough patch traversed by his team, which recently endured a 15-game losing streak before consecutive wins over the division-leading Charlotte Knights. He is as devout in not scrutinizing his statistics as he is in his faith, but nonetheless entered Tuesday night’s game with 31 appearances, second on the ballclub, and a highly respectable 3.23 ERA.

Chapman has three saves and 47 strikeouts in 39 innings along with a 2-4 record. His last two appearances were a combined four innings with two hits, no runs, five strikeouts and three walks.

As difficult as it sounds to an outsider, he said he’s been able to focus on the task and not the weekly fluctuations and injury reports involving Atlanta’s pitching staff. A pair of teammates, Chapman said, including closer Cody Gearrin who made the All-Star roster and has been up and down with the Braves probably are ahead of him in the pecking order anyway.

“If it’s the Lord’s time, I’ll be there” in Atlanta, Chapman said.

He wants to be a member of the Atlanta Braves, but is realistic that practically every pitch he throws in Triple-A is dissected by at least one scout from a team in either league seeking bullpen help. Chapman called it an afterthought.

The trip home to Panama City will be much more relaxing early next week for Jaye Chapman.

The relief pitcher for the Gwinnett Braves in the Triple-A International League was here recently to attend the funeral of former Mosley teammate Drew MacLean, who died unexpectedly in an automobile accident.

Chapman will visit this time during a break in the schedule for the Triple-A All-Star Game between the International League and Pacific Coast League on Wednesday night in Buffalo, N.Y.

Another former Dolphin, David Herndon, currently is in rehabilitation with the Philadelphia Phillies following elbow surgery, and wasn’t released from his responsibilities by the parent club to return for the funeral, Chapman said.

Such can be the commitment and learning curve for young professional athletes, off the field as well as between the lines.

Chapman, who turned 25 in May, seems to be adjusting quite well in his first full season at a level that is on the cusp of reaching the ultimate goal of Major League Baseball.

Adjustment, he intimated, is a proper term, and undoubtedly was reinforced by last week’s solemn occasion, one of two to shake the foundation of Mosley’s extended family within a matter or days.

In Chapman’s professional sense, it concerns deviating from his game plan from time to time. The hitters in Triple-A have enough talent and experience to take advantage when pitchers become predictable.

“You have to learn to throw different pitches you would not normally throw in different counts,” Chapman said. “Last night I got strikeouts on two fastballs looking. They were both sitting on the change-up.”

Chapman at times emulated the rough patch traversed by his team, which recently endured a 15-game losing streak before consecutive wins over the division-leading Charlotte Knights. He is as devout in not scrutinizing his statistics as he is in his faith, but nonetheless entered Tuesday night’s game with 31 appearances, second on the ballclub, and a highly respectable 3.23 ERA.

Chapman has three saves and 47 strikeouts in 39 innings along with a 2-4 record. His last two appearances were a combined four innings with two hits, no runs, five strikeouts and three walks.

As difficult as it sounds to an outsider, he said he’s been able to focus on the task and not the weekly fluctuations and injury reports involving Atlanta’s pitching staff. A pair of teammates, Chapman said, including closer Cody Gearrin who made the All-Star roster and has been up and down with the Braves probably are ahead of him in the pecking order anyway.

“If it’s the Lord’s time, I’ll be there” in Atlanta, Chapman said.

He wants to be a member of the Atlanta Braves, but is realistic that practically every pitch he throws in Triple-A is dissected by at least one scout from a team in either league seeking bullpen help. Chapman called it an afterthought.

It’s almost as though he has catalogued his emotions and focus like he has his pitches. For now, it’s about learning from every single game and building off the moment.

And there’s more than something to be said for being 25 years old, pitching at a high level and not experiencing arm trouble.

“I’m very blessed with that,” Chapman said. “Everybody has their own personal journey.”

Early next week, his will include some relaxation at home and family time.